TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to cutting tools such as hedge clippers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a hedge clipper with user-friendly interface and multiple options for varying mechanical advantage to cater to different cutting applications.

BACKGROUND

Cutting tools such as hedge clippers are widely used to provide a mechanical assistance while performing cutting. Generally, the hedge clippers are used to cut objects such as bushes of different sizes and types. The hedge clippers usually include two cutting blades associated with corresponding handles for ease of handling, while cutting. This arrangement of two cutting blades, although conventional and universal, poses challenges while cutting branches of different sizes.

There have been efforts in the past to address aforementioned issues related to use of hedge clippers particularly for more challenging cutting applications. Till recently, a user had to make use of multiple cutting tools to cater to such challenges. However, some applications came up with use of a gear mechanism integrated with cutting blades of the hedge clipper to allow some respite. But still there were persisting issues related to safety and ease of operation for a common user.

An example of a cutting tool is provided by European Patent 1,625,784 (hereinafter referred to as’784 reference). The’784 reference provides a tool which has two tiltable levers, where each lever includes a corresponding blade. The tool further includes two toothed quadrants (or simply gears) associated with the levers which come into an interference connection with one another. Further, one of the toothed quadrants can be selectively locked by a locking mechanism. However, the ’784 reference comes short of providing alternatives for locking mechanism which safely and conveniently allows selective locking of the toothed quadrants depending upon cutting requirements. Thus, there is a need of an improved cutting tool which allows ease of operation such as cutting of different branches using variable mechanical advantage selectable by means of a user-friendly lockable mechanism.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a first lever having a first handle portion and a first cutting blade. Further, the cutting tool includes a gear portion associated with the first cutting blade. The cutting tool includes a second lever having a second handle portion. The cutting tool includes a second cutting blade pivotally coupled to the first lever at a first pivot point, and coupled to the second handle portion at a second pivot point. The cutting tool includes a gear lever pivotally coupled to the second cutting blade and the second handle portion at the second pivot point. The gear lever is operatively coupled with the first gear portion. The cutting tool includes an adjustment mechanism to selectively allow rotation of the gear lever relative to the first gear portion to change mechanical advantage between the first lever and the second lever. The cutting tool is characterized in that the second lever includes a first cut-out portion. The gear lever includes a second cut-out portion. Further, the adjustment mechanism includes at least one protrusion to selectively abut with at least one of the first cut-out portion and the second cut-out portion to restrict further rotational movement of the first cut-out portion and the second cut-out portion respectively. The cutting tool further includes a selection mechanism to selectively align the at least one protrusion with at least one of the first cut-out portion and the second cut-out portion. Thus, the present disclosure provides different options with simple, convenient, and safe locking mechanisms for changing the mechanical advantage of the cutting tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism is a screw mechanism. Preference for the screw mechanism may be due to ease of implementation along with the safety ensured.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism is a toggle switch mechanism. Alternatively to the screw mechanism, the toggle switch mechanism provides a simple single-press operation to change between different modes of operation of the cutting tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the selection mechanism is an adjusting knob of the screw mechanism. This may make the cutting tool more convenient, aesthetically suitable for use by a common user, without compromising on safety and ergonomics.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the selection mechanism is a toggle button of the toggle mechanism. This mechanism provides another convenient alternative for changing the mechanical advantage, by making use of simple button-pressing action.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cutting tool further includes a spring buffer integrated on any of the first lever and the second lever. This enhances operator safety during operation, specifically during more demanding operations of the cutting tool.

Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cutting tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a screw mechanism of the cutting tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cutting tool with the screw mechanism for a dynamic cutting mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the cutting tool with the screw mechanism for a powerful cutting mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 shows perspective views of the cutting tool with a toggle mechanism for the dynamic cutting mode, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows perspective views of the cutting tool with the toggle mechanism for the powerful cutting mode, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cutting tool 100 such as a hedge clipper, garden shear, branch shear or any other cutting tool utilizing two or more cutting implements (simply blades) as known to a person having an ordinary knowledge in the art. Although, the present disclosure illustrates application of the cutting tool 100 as a hedge clipper, the present disclosure is not to be limited by it in any manner. The cutting tool 100 includes a first lever 110 having a first handle portion 112 and a first cutting blade 114. Further, the cutting tool 100 includes a gear portion 116 associated with the first cutting blade 114. The cutting tool 100 includes a second lever 120 having a second handle portion 122. The cutting tool 100 includes a second cutting blade 124 pivotally coupled to the first lever 110 at a first pivot point 126, and coupled to the second handle portion 122 at a second pivot point 128.

The cutting tool 100 further includes a gear lever 130 pivotally coupled to the second cutting blade 124 and the second handle portion 122 at the second pivot point 128. The gear lever 130 is operatively coupled with the first gear portion 116. The cutting tool 100 includes an adjustment mechanism 140 to selectively allow rotation of the gear lever 130 relative to the first gear portion 116 to change mechanical advantage between the first lever 110 and the second lever 120.

Preferably, the cutting tool 100 further includes a spring buffer 150 integrated on any of the first lever 110 and the second lever 120. The present embodiment shows the spring buffer 150 integrated to the first lever 110. Role of the spring buffer 150 is primarily to absorb any shocks which may occur during demanding applications of the cutting tool 100. The spring buffer 150 serve as a buffer or cushion for the hands of a user by absorbing any unexpected jerk or force transmitted to the first handle 112 or the second handle 122. Further, there shall be no restriction on type or placement or number of spring buffer(s) since the present disclosure is not to be limited by the spring buffer 150 in any manner. Moreover, working or action of the spring buffer 150 may be adjusted with change between the“dynamic cutting mode” and the“power cutting mode”, or factors such as cutting force, angle of cut, pressure on the first handle 112 or the second handle 122 or any other factor as obvious to a person having knowledge in the art.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a screw mechanism 140 of the cutting tool 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the second lever 120 includes a first cut-out portion 202. The gear lever 130 includes a second cut-out portion 204. Further, the adjustment mechanism (here the screw mechanism 140) includes at least one protrusion 210 to selectively abut with at least one of the first cut-out portion 202 and the second cut-out portion 204 to restrict further rotational movement of the first cut-out portion 202 and the second cut-out portion 204 respectively. The cutting tool 100 includes a selection mechanism i.e. an adjusting knob 142 of the screw mechanism 140 to selectively align the at least one protrusion 210 with at least one of the first cut-out portion 202 and the second cut-out portion 204. This embodiment illustrates the protrusion(s) 210 as a“spacer”, however, the present disclosure may be readily implemented using any type of the protrusion(s) such as illustrated by 210, 506 (refer FIGS. 2, 5, 6) of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the present disclosure refers to“protrusion” or“spacer” which are used in different embodiments of the adjustment mechanism 140, 500 to selectively engage with cut-out portions (i.e. the first cut-out portion 202 and the second cut-out portion 204), whenever a change between a“dynamic cutting mode” and a “power cutting mode” is required. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 140, 500 may be integrated with sensor(s) to prompt a user to undertake change between the“dynamic cutting mode” and the“power cutting mode”. Preferably, any gauge or mechanical/digital means may be integrated with the cutting tool 100 to assist (or prompt) users while selecting any of the“dynamic cutting mode” and the“power cutting mode”. The“protrusion” or“spacer” illustrated by the present disclosure are preferable, however, the present disclosure is not to be limited by their shape or size or number in any manner.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cutting tool 100 with the screw mechanism 140 for the “dynamic cutting mode,” in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For applications requiring comparatively lower mechanical advantage, it may be advantageous to keep the adjustment mechanism 140, (or the screw mechanism 140), in a disengaged or OFF state. During implementation, the adjusting knob 142 can be engaged while effectuating any change in state of the adjustment mechanism 140. The adjusting knob 142 works by rotating it substantially in the plane of the cutting tool 100, for instance rotation by 180 degrees in a clockwise sense will disengage the adjustment mechanism 140 and vice-versa. Notably, reverse rotation and/or different magnitudes of rotation of the adjusting knob 142 have been contemplated and are well within the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the cutting tool 100 may include locking means which lock the adjusting knob 142 for the “dynamic cutting mode” or the“power cutting mode”, depending upon one or more factors such as cutting force, angle of cut, pressure on the first handle 112 or the second handle 122 or any other factor as obvious to a person having knowledge in the art. This way the angle of opening between the first handle 112 and the second handle 122, al, will be substantially similar to the angle of opening between the first blade and the second blade, a2, leading to a condition of the“dynamic cutting mode”. As will be appreciated by a person having knowledge in the art, this will readily allow cutting of relatively smaller branches with ease.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the cutting tool 100 with the screw mechanism 140 for the “powerful cutting mode”, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The powerful cutting mode is expected to be engaged or put in ON state whenever more demanding cutting, such as for relatively bigger branches is required. For instance, if the adjustment mechanism 140 is already in disengaged/OFF state, as elaborated earlier, then there appears a need to rotate the adjusting knob 142 in anti-clockwise sense to turn the adjustment mechanism 140 into engaged/ON state. Referring to the FIG. 2, this rotation of the adjusting knob 142 moves the spacer into engagement with any or both the first cut-out portion 202 and the second cut-out portion 204 of the second lever 120 and the gear lever 130 respectively. This restricts any free rotation of the gear lever 130 leading to a situation which allows substantially higher mechanical advantage in this“powerful cutting mode”. As illustrated by the FIG. 4, this mode has the angle of opening between the first handle 112 and the second handle 122, al, substantially larger than the angle of opening between the first blade and the second blade, a2, thereby providing the higher mechanical advantage.

FIG. 5 shows perspective views of the cutting tool 100 where the adjustment mechanism 500 is a toggle switch mechanism 500, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, this figure caters to the dynamic cutting mode for the toggle switch mechanism 500. On comparing with the screw mechanism 140, in place of the adjusting knob 142 there is a provision for a toggle button 502 in the toggle switch mechanism 500. During implementation, the toggle button 502 can be pushed down around an end to effectuate mode change (between the dynamic cutting mode and the powerful cutting mode) of the toggle switch mechanism 500. This figure also illustrates internal arrangement of the toggle switch mechanism which includes spring(s) 504 which bias the protrusion(s) 506. Moreover, the protrusion(s) 506 engage with the first cut-out portion 202 and the second cut-out portion 204 like working of the screw mechanism 140. Embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate four protrusions 506, however, actual implementations may have any different number or size or type of the protrusions including those illustrated by 210, 506 and all such variations are well within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows perspective views of the cutting tool 100 with the toggle switch mechanism 500 for the powerful cutting mode, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. During implementation, the toggle switch mechanism 500 can be engaged or turned to ON state by use of the toggle button 502. During the dynamic cutting mode, the protrusion 506 is disengaged from the first cut-out portion 202 and the second cut-out portion 204. Now after turning to ON state of the toggle switch mechanism 500 by actuation of the toggle button 502, the protrusion 506 abuts any or both of the first cut-out portion 202 and the second cut-out portion 204 leading to a higher mechanical advantage between the first lever 110 and the second lever 120.

Thus, the present disclosure provides the cutting tool 100 with simple, convenient and user-friendly interface to change mechanical advantage between the first lever 110 and the second lever 120. Moreover, the cutting tool 100 can be implemented while benefitting from operational advantages provided by different selection mechanism (142, 502), namely the adjusting knob (142) or the toggle button (502), depending upon user preferences or the like.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Cutting Tool

110 First Lever

112 First Handle Portion

114 First Blade

116 Gear Portion

120 Second Lever

122 Second Handle Portion

124 Second Blade

126 First Pivot Point

128 Second Pivot Point

130 Gear Lever

140 Screw Mechanism

142 Adjusting Knob

150 Spring Buffer

202 First Cut-Out Portion

204 Second Cut-Out Portion

210 Protrusion

212 Spring

500 Toggle Switch Mechanism

502 Toggle Button

506 Protrusion

504 Spring

al Angle of opening between First Lever and Second Lever a2 Angle of opening between First Cutting Blade and Second Cutting Blade